diff --git a/pkgs/development/python-modules/bids-validator/default.nix b/pkgs/development/python-modules/bids-validator/default.nix
index 913ebeee326..bcf45aff832 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/python-modules/bids-validator/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/python-modules/bids-validator/default.nix
@@ -12,7 +12,10 @@ buildPythonPackage rec {
     sha256 = "b8292f4efb3617532f93c60acfec242150406bfd9e298d7f01187d67c311aa91";
   };
 
-  propagatedBuildInputs = [ ];
+  # needs packages which are not available in nixpkgs
+  doCheck = false;
+
+  pythonImportsCheck = [ "bids_validator" ];
 
   meta = with lib; {
     description = "Validator for the Brain Imaging Data Structure";